VR arcade rides ‘new wave’ in PCB

Wednesday

"Gamers of the future ... are going to be physically fit. They are going to have reflexes of a cat."

PANAMA CITY BEACH — A virtual reality arcade that allows people to fight off zombies, disco dance, play golf and many other activities is being offered on the Beach.

NexGen Virtual Reality Arcade has opened just west of the Hathaway Bridge at 7107 W. U.S. 98 in Panama City Beach. Using headsets, people can experience 360-degree virtual reality games and have plenty of space to run around, jump and duck while doing so.

“I’ve lost 25 pounds since I started this adventure,” owner Richard Stephens said. “I’m fit and trim now. This is some of the best exercise you can get. Gamers of the future are not going to be fat, pimply couch kids. They are going to be physically fit. They are going to have reflexes of a cat. Really good aim. Really good hand-eye coordination.”

The cost to play is $25 for 30 minutes, but Stephens is offering a 20 percent discount for locals and military personnel.

“Most of time you only want to stick to a half-hour because as you can see, it’s pretty physical and you need to give your face and body a rest,” he said.

Stephens, a gaming enthusiast who used to be the kitchen manager at a Beach restaurant, said the virtual reality arcade is “new wave.”

“It’s totally something of the future,” he said. “I’ve been on news channels I didn’t even know I was on. I’m getting coverage all over. I’ll be on MTV next month. I’ve already signed a contract with ‘Floribama Shores’ (to film at the arcade).”

Stephens, who grew up in Bay County, said he saved his money and decided to go into the virtual gaming business, which is his passion.

“I have got 65 titles,” he said. “You can do anything, be anybody. You can go anywhere. It actually puts you in the virtual world.”

He said he’s been studying the virtual technology for about three years, and has agreements with the software developers in which they get a cut of each hour played on their games.

“Nobody wants to use a coin-operated (game any more), and consoles killed them, so you have to go to the next level, and this is definitely the next level,” Stephens said.